WORKIN' FOR THE MTA : This song is unusual in being an urban train song - Justin Townes Earle writes about running the 6 train in New York City, which runs from the Brooklyn Bridge to Pelham Bay Park in Manhattan. The ATU (Amalgamated Transport Union) and its President Emeritus Warren George are mentioned in the song. "Workin' for the MTA" is on Justin Townes Earle's 2010 album, 'Harlem River Blues'. (Justin Earle is Steve Earle's son).

Workin' for the MTA

Well it's cold in them tunnels today
Well it's cold in them tunnels today
It's cold down in those tunnels today
Mama, workin' for the MTA

I run that six-line train
I run that six-line train
I run a six-line train
Clear from Brooklyn Bridge to Pelham Bay

I'm the son of a railroad man
I'm the son of a railroad man
I'm the son of a railroad man
Born and raised back in south Louisian'

This ain't my daddy's train
This ain't my daddy's train
This ain't my daddy's train
Mama, I ain't seen the sun in days

Yeah them hard times are goin' around
Hard times are goin' around
Hard times are goin' around
Bringin' hard luck on New York town

But I'm bankin' on the ATU
Bankin' on the ATU
I'm bankin' on the ATU
Brother Georgie's gonna see me through

So it's cold in them tunnels today
Well it's cold in them tunnels today, babe
It's cold in those tunnels today
Mama, workin' for the MTA
Yeah I'm workin' for the MTA